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Glacier Express All Inclusive

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8 days From £1,799 £1,699 per person

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Enjoy Switzerland’s best rail journeys, uncovering the beautiful lakes, glaciers and historic towns of the stunning Swiss Alps

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Save up to £200pp on Europe 2025 holidays when you book by 31st October 2024.

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Mobility Rating 2

2025 Tour code: 25TFS

About the tour

Experience Switzerland's most spectacular train journeys from a family-run hotel in the heart of the forested Albula Valley, including drinks with dinner each evening. Travel across the Swiss Alps and past enchanting glaciers to Italy on the UNESCO-listed Bernina Express, before viewing the 'Swiss Grand Canyon' and incredible alpine scenery from the panoramic carriages of the iconic Glacier Express.

Visit the popular resort of St Moritz, historic Chur and journey high into the mountains on the delightful Arosa Line.

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Unforgettable Experiences

Riding the incredible Glacier Express
Riding the incredible Glacier Express
Embark on a stunning journey on one of Europe’s most famous trains, passing awe-inspiring snow-capped peaks and alpine valleys in panoramic carriages from Tiefencastel to Brig.
Crossing the Alps to Italy aboard the Bernina Express
Crossing the Alps to Italy aboard the Bernina Express
Travel on the UNESCO-listed route of the Bernina Express from Tiefencastel to Tirano in Italy, admiring the spectacular Palü Glacier and traversing the corkscrew Brusio Viaduct along the way.
Exploring the Albula Line and visiting stylish St Moritz
Exploring the Albula Line and visiting stylish St Moritz
Experience the historic and UNESCO-listed route as it clings to mountains and travels over the impressive Landwasser Viaduct, winding through breathtaking scenery to the stylish resort of St Moritz.
Journeying to a beautiful lakeside resort on the Arosa Line
Journeying to a beautiful lakeside resort on the Arosa Line
From the historic town of Chur, board the train for a captivating journey through dense forests into the mountains to the delightful lakeside village of Arosa, climbing more than 3,000 feet in 16 miles.

What’s included

Itinerary

Day 1 – London to Strasbourg: From the Thames to the Rhine

Gathering at London St Pancras, we join our fellow travellers and Tour Manager to board the Eurostar to Paris Gare du Nord. In the French capital, we walk to neighbouring Gare de l'Est for a two-hour journey on the high-speed TGV to the Alsace. We pass through the Champagne region and the historic area of Lorraine on our way to Strasbourg.

After checking in to our hotel near the station, there is time to explore this attractive city and its eclectic mix of French and German architecture. Its historic centre, the Grande Île, is dominated by its main square, Place Kléber, while the red sandstone façade of the 13th-century Gothic Notre Dame Cathedral is a marvel of intricate carving best viewed when bathed in the golden glow of dusk.

This evening, we take a short stroll from our hotel to a local restaurant where we enjoy our first dinner together.

Includes
  • Dinner
Day 2 – A dramatic journey to your hotel in scenic Switzerland

After breakfast, you have a free morning to explore Strasbourg. A short walk along the canal from the hotel is La Petite France - an area of half-timbered houses and picturesque waterways bedecked with flowers in the warmer months.

After midday, we transfer to Strasbourg's station for the journey to Switzerland. Travelling to Tiefencastel via Basel and Chur, the dramatic scenery increases as the gentle slopes guide us towards the sparkling waters of Lake Zürich. Entering the Graubünden canton, imposing mountains begin to encircle the track on the approach to the UNESCO-listed Albula Line.

Arriving in the early evening, we check in for a five-night stay in the small village of Tiefencastel. Located on the route of the Glacier Express and Bernina Express, Tiefencastel has an incredible rail heritage. A warm welcome awaits at our riverside hotel that has been run by the same family for more than five generations. Each evening, we have a three-course dinner, while wine, beer and soft drinks are included during dinner every night.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Day 3 – Alpine scenery, upmarket resorts or gentle walks on a free day

Today is a free day to explore our new surroundings at leisure, with a picnic lunch provided by the hotel. Tiefencastel is a small village but due to its location there is plenty to discover, including the wood carvings inside the 14th-century Church of St Stefan and many nearby woodland walks.

With your Swiss Travel Card providing a 50% discount on rail fares in the area, you might want to explore further afield. Travelling on the UNESCO-listed Albula Line across the curved Landwasser Viaduct to nearby Filisur gives you many options. From here, you can continue to Bergün, where you can learn about the importance of trains to the region at the Albula Railway Museum - found on the small station's platform. Alternatively, you could travel through the spectacular Zügen Gorge to the upmarket mountain resorts of Davos and Klosters, loved by the British Royal family. Between May and October, the historic 'Crocodile' train also runs between Filisur and Davos.

Returning to Tiefencastel, dinner with selected drinks is provided tonight as it is each evening.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4 – A journey on the historic Albula Line to stylish St Moritz

Heading to Tiefencastel station after breakfast, we travel on the Albula Line to the famous resort of St Moritz. This historic route snakes across deep ravines and scenic viaducts, past impressive mountain peaks and evergreen forests before arriving in vibrant St Moritz. Set amidst the mountains and lakes of the Engadine Valley and renowned for its grand hotels, glamorous cafés and stylish shops, free time in St Moritz lends itself to an abundance of possibilities for you to discover on your own.

Taking a relaxing stroll provides the opportunity to enjoy your picnic lunch by the serene lake, admiring the backdrop of incredible mountains. Via Serlas is one of the world's most glamorous shopping streets and is brimming with upmarket fashion boutiques for those who fancy indulging in a spot of retail therapy. Alternatively, pause to sip an apéritif or cocktail in a bar, or ride the Diavolezza cable car to reveal exquisite views over the Morteratsch Glacier. Later, we return by train to our Tiefencastel hotel for dinner and drinks.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5 – Crossing the Alps to Italy on the Bernina Express

Travelling across the Alps to Italy on the UNESCO-listed route of the Bernina Express is a highlight of our holiday - and we set off on this fantastic journey after breakfast. One of rail's best-kept secrets, this spectacular route clings to mountainsides and passes dramatic waterfalls before climbing up to Lago Bianco and the summit at Ospizio Bernina, 7,400ft above sea level. From panoramic carriages, we can marvel at the ethereal Palü Glacier before twisting round the incredible spiral viaduct at Brusio. When we reach the delightful Italian town of Tirano, there is free time to explore at leisure.

Crossing the Adda river and entering the Old Town through the Porta Poschiavina, you are greeted by rustic cobbled streets and palazzos. Entering the Collegiate Church of St Martin and the 16th-century Sanctuary of the Blessed Virgin of Tirano, you can discover intricate interiors decorated with beautiful frescoes and remarkable statues. Alternatively, indulge in a taste of Italy with a glass of local wine, before we return to Tiefencastel by local train in time for dinner and drinks.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6 – Historic Chur and the Arosa Line

We board the train to Chur after breakfast this morning, continuing on the Arosa Line for an hour-long journey to the charming lakeside resort of Arosa. Climbing more than 3,000 feet in 16 miles, the train winds its way through unspoilt verdant valleys and across the historic Langweiser Viaduct before arriving beside the crystal-clear waters of Obersee. There is free time here to bask in incredible views of surrounding peaks, savouring your picnic lunch beside the lake while drinking in the views. Arosa is a nature-lovers' paradise and, for those who want to see more, you can venture higher on a cable car.

Before we return to Tiefencastel for dinner and drinks, you have some time to explore Switzerland's oldest town. Backed by mountains, picturesque Chur's historic cobblestone centre has quietly impressed visitors for many years with its colourful buildings and attractive squares. The focal point of the Old Town is Martinsplatz, dominated by the tower of St Martin's Church. Pretty Chur also contains a number of galleries and museums, including the Rätisches Museum and Cathedral Treasure Museum.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7 – The incredible Glacier Express and on to Basel

One of Europe's most iconic trains awaits this morning as we make the short journey to Tiefencastel station to board the Glacier Express - an epic way to conclude our time in the Swiss Alps.

The 'slowest express train in the world' heads west from Chur before delving into the Rhine Gorge, dubbed the 'Swiss Grand Canyon'. With a picnic lunch included and luggage transfer to tonight's hotel, panoramic carriages allow us to sit back and soak up the ever-changing views of wildflower meadows and pine forests. The spectacular route snakes over the Oberalp Pass, beside glacial lakes and through the nine-mile-long Furka Base Tunnel before arriving in Brig. Here, we change trains to head north through the mountains to Basel, passing the emerald Lake Thun and fairytale Spiez Castle on the way.

Bustling Basel is a dynamic city rooted in history and dominated by its red sandstone Gothic minster on the banks of the Rhine. Our hotel tonight is next to the train station and is popular with our passengers. We check in and enjoy our final dinner together.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8 – Homeward bound

Making our way to Basel train station after breakfast, we begin our journey home. Joining the high-speed TGV to Paris, lush fields, dense forests and perched châteaux flash by the window as we travel through the heart of historic Burgundy. In the French capital, we change to the final train of our all-inclusive holiday to the spectacular Swiss mountains, travelling by Eurostar back to London St Pancras, where we arrive by early evening.

Enroute, we can look back at the many highlights of our trip to Switzerland, including the warm hospitality we enjoyed at our family-run hotel in Tiefencastel. This perfectly placed hotel gave us easy access to the area's amazing sights and iconic railways. From the attractive towns of St Moritz, Arosa and Chur to the stunning views of canyons and snow-dusted peaks on the Glacier Express and Bernina Express, the Swiss Alps showcased their breathtaking beauty in majestic fashion.

Includes
  • Breakfast

Additional information

Departure times

Provisional departure and return times, where available, can be found together with our dates and prices by clicking on the 'Prices & Availability' button. We write to all booked customers approximately 10 weeks prior to the start of their tour to advise the exact departure and return time for their particular group.

Mobility information

Due to the nature of our tours they are generally unsuitable for those with restricted mobility. If you’d like to discuss any particular holiday with us in this respect, then please don’t hesitate to call us.

Hotel

Hotel Albula & Julier, Tiefencastel

Hotel Albula & Julier, Tiefencastel

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Trains

Bernina Express
Eurostar
The Glacier Express

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Related inspiration from our journey blog
Behind the Journey: Adrian Müller

Behind the Journey: Adrian Müller

07/09/2023 · By

As part of our 50th celebrations, we meet the people who help make our journeys so memorable. We love working with people who are as passionate about places as we are, creating unforgettable memories during their stay. Adrian Müller embodies this. He is the owner of the oldest hotel in Chur, a historic Swiss town on the route of the Glacier Express and the Bernina Express. Adrian and his team have been welcoming our customers for 18 years.

Read more